The Advance of Poststructuralism and Its Influence on Family Therapy. Issue 3 (9th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dickerson, Victoria C.
• Is Part Of: Family process. Volume 53:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 401
• Page End: 414
• Publication Date: 2014-07-09
• Subjects: Family psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Families -- Periodicals; 616.8915
• DOI: 10.1111/famp.12087
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-7370

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="famp12087-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Postmodernism began to influence family therapy very early in the 1980s with articles referencing postmodern ideas, focusing on meaning and multiplicity. With the appearance of narrative therapy on the scene in the 1990s there was a shift toward poststructural thinking, which refined the movement and politicized the clinical work. Even with a bit of a backlash, whether because this was a new idea or it somehow threatened a positivistic culture, a poststructural view has continued to have effects on family therapy. This article explores the variety of influences: the expansion of narrative ideas, the innovation of Madsen's collaborative helping, and also more nuanced effects. I argue that a poststructural view has effectively changed how many family therapists think and may also be subtly influencing how they might work.</p> </abstract>